According to a US medical journal, married people officially weigh more than those who've never been hitched. In fact, take a look at some of these common causes of marital flab and some tips on how to avoid piling on the pounds.



Of course, feeling secure in a relationship can cause you to slip up and increase your snacking; spending time together enjoying romantic meals or snuggling up on the sofa with a takeaway are just two ways that you can easily pile on the pounds. However, it may prove more beneficial if you agree with your partner that it is better not to have crisps, chocolate, or biscuits in the house. In addition, try to eat a healthy breakfast together to start the day ? cereal or fruit and yogurt are great alternatives to a fry up.

It is important to understand that eating man-sized portions is a mistake women can often make when serving up dinner. Remember that a woman's serving, on average, should be around 20 percent smaller than a man's. A meat portion should be no more than the size of a pack of cards, whilst a carb serving no more than the size of your fist. Also, don't forget to serve dinner for the both of you - if he does it, he may well give you too much!

However, if your partner doesn't want to be healthy or even see the need, then it's time to compromise. For example, maybe grill instead of frying, and cook oven chips rather than buying chips from the chip shop. But if your partner won't budge, then eating separately may be the answer. Therefore, ask for your partner's support; it's not fair to be teased about the food they can eat and that which you can't.

In the busy world we live in, not exercising enough or not having time to exercise can be a problem. This is particularly difficult if you have children; therefore, try to get your partner to take part in exercise routines with you, or alternatively spend weekends as a family, taking part in fun activities such as swimming, cycling or walking. And if your partner doesn't want to join in, why not ask him to babysit while you go to an exercise class?

So, if you are starting to feel your waistband getting a bit tighter or notice that you are getting out of breath when running for the bus, keep your weight loss goals firmly in mind. Indeed, it is important that you take continuous action to control your weight, whether you're in a relationship or single.